Rebels vs Commodores NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Although it’s still more than two weeks away, the smack talking has already begun with Ole Miss strength coach Paul Jackson talking trash about something Vanderbilt cornerback Andre Hal’s said regarding last year’s Commodores’ come-from-behind win over the Rebels.
Ole Miss (0-0) vs. Vanderbilt (0-0)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013
Time: 9:15 p.m. EST
Venue: Vanderbilt Stadium
City: Nashville
O/U Odds: 53 1/2
Spread: Mississippi -3
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With that win, Vandy has beaten the Rebels three years in a row and has won five of the last six meetings.
Still it finds itself a three-point underdog against Ole Miss in its season opener on Aug. 29.
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However, they are playing at home, a place known for being a hostile environment.
Last year the Commodores rallied from a 16-point deficit, and trailing 23-6 in the third quarter, sealed a victory at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium after QB Jordan Rodgers hit Chris Boyd for a touchdown in the final minute of the game.
That blow has no doubt left a bad taste in Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s mouth.
But even after that, and a mediocre 7-6 finish last season, the enthusiasm is sky high around Oxford. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
That’s because Freeze has injected life into a program that had spent much of the last decade floundering in the SEC.
And thanks to an astonishingly recruiting pull, which brought in some much-needed talent, the Rebels are poised to climb back to the to the top of the SEC ladder.
Nevertheless, you can’t overlook the fact that the Rebs are only 1-3 in road games against Vanderbilt since 2005, a streak Freeze would like to put to an end.
So, it’s safe to say Ole Miss will definitely be out for revenge, and will look to take advantage of a Commodores team that will be adjusting at a few positions to begin the season, as Vandy has had to replace a quarterback, running back, two offensive guards and three defensive linemen this past fall.
Matt’s free prediction: Neither team is ranked in the preseason USA Today Coaches’ Poll, but both are coming off better-than-expected seasons and the winner of this game will be the most likely become the surprise team in the always-tough SEC
So, there’s a lot riding on this game in terms of momentum, especially since both team’s schedules get much harder as the season progresses.
And even though the play of Freeze’s top recruits will factor a little into this one, the game will be decided in the end by the play of veterans on both sides of the ball — sending Ole Miss back to Oxford with a win, and the monkey of its back.
Ole Miss 34 – Vanderbilt 24
